Premise Identification Premise Identification

and Biosecurityand Biosecurity

Morgan Farnell, Ph.D.Morgan Farnell, Ph.D.Texas A&M Poultry Science DepartmentTexas A&M Poultry Science Department

March 24, 2006March 24, 2006

IntroductionIntroduction

►House Bill 2328 authorizes the Texas House Bill 2328 authorizes the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) to Animal Health Commission (TAHC) to register domestic and exotic fowl register domestic and exotic fowl sellers, distributors or transports who do sellers, distributors or transports who do not participate in a disease surveillance not participate in a disease surveillance program recognized by the TAHC.program recognized by the TAHC.

►The TAHC has the authority to eradicate The TAHC has the authority to eradicate or control animal diseases.or control animal diseases.

PurposePurpose

► The primary purpose of the program is to The primary purpose of the program is to protect Texas agriculture. protect Texas agriculture.

► Large numbers of animals are kept and sold Large numbers of animals are kept and sold in close quarters presenting a disease risk.in close quarters presenting a disease risk.

► It will ensure that fowl being sold or It will ensure that fowl being sold or transported throughout the state do not pose transported throughout the state do not pose a disease risk.a disease risk.

► It will also serve as a disease surveillance and It will also serve as a disease surveillance and monitoring system.monitoring system.

PurposePurpose

► Targets individuals involved in selling birdsTargets individuals involved in selling birds

► Not meant to be a hardship on the individualNot meant to be a hardship on the individual

► Not a money making ventureNot a money making venture

► Fees set as low as possible to recoup costs Fees set as low as possible to recoup costs of administering the programof administering the program

► Necessary to prevent and control the spread Necessary to prevent and control the spread of costly and deadly diseasesof costly and deadly diseases

Reasons for BeingReasons for Being

►Viral PathogensViral Pathogens Avian InfluenzaAvian Influenza Exotic Newcastle DiseaseExotic Newcastle Disease Infectious LaryngotracheitisInfectious Laryngotracheitis Duck PlagueDuck Plague Avian EncephalitisAvian Encephalitis ParamyxovirusParamyxovirus

Reasons for BeingReasons for Being

►Bacterial PathogensBacterial Pathogens Salmonellosis (Pullorum, Salmonellosis (Pullorum, Fowl TyphoidFowl Typhoid)) Avian TuberculosisAvian Tuberculosis OrnithosisOrnithosis

►Other foreign diseases not native to Other foreign diseases not native to TexasTexas

►These diseases must be reported to the These diseases must be reported to the TAHC as soon as possibleTAHC as soon as possible

Reasons for ConcernReasons for Concern

► U.S. / Mexico BorderU.S. / Mexico Border Fighting Cocks (Smuggling)Fighting Cocks (Smuggling) Migratory BirdsMigratory Birds

► Asia-Alaska FlywaysAsia-Alaska Flyways

► Backyard Flocks and Live Bird MarketsBackyard Flocks and Live Bird Markets Lack of expert veterinary careLack of expert veterinary care Commingling with other speciesCommingling with other species Exposure to migratory birdsExposure to migratory birds Fighting cock community – lack of Fighting cock community – lack of

communicationcommunication

Reasons for ConcernReasons for Concern

► Potential damage to U.S. AgriculturePotential damage to U.S. Agriculture Already Suffering….Already Suffering….

► International TradeInternational Trade Thirty percent of U.S. poultry exportedThirty percent of U.S. poultry exported Seventy percent of Brazilian poultry exportedSeventy percent of Brazilian poultry exported

► Poultry consumption in Europe and Asia downPoultry consumption in Europe and Asia down Declines of 10% Northern Europe, 20% France, Declines of 10% Northern Europe, 20% France,

25% India and 70% Italy. 25% India and 70% Italy. Also seeing declines in Africa of poultry Also seeing declines in Africa of poultry

consumptionconsumption

Agricultural TerrorismAgricultural Terrorism

► Plans in place to protect the US food supplyPlans in place to protect the US food supply

► Food supply is a vulnerable targetFood supply is a vulnerable target

► Foreign Terrorists and Eco-Terrorists (ie. Animal Foreign Terrorists and Eco-Terrorists (ie. Animal Welfare Extremists)Welfare Extremists)

► Economic implicationsEconomic implications NationallyNationally

► Increased food costsIncreased food costs► Loss of jobsLoss of jobs

GloballyGlobally► Loss of international tradeLoss of international trade

Why should I register?Why should I register?

► Help your neighborhood farmerHelp your neighborhood farmer Protect rural economiesProtect rural economies Protect your neighbors' source of incomeProtect your neighbors' source of income

► Protection of your own flockProtection of your own flock If a disease is found….If a disease is found….

► DepopulationDepopulation► QuarantineQuarantine► Government interventionGovernment intervention

► Fines up to $1,000. Fines up to $1,000. Class C or B misdemeanorClass C or B misdemeanor Each day at fault counts as a separate penaltyEach day at fault counts as a separate penalty Civil lawsuitsCivil lawsuits

Why Should I Register?Why Should I Register?

►Participation is expected to provide Participation is expected to provide access to federal indemnity for birds access to federal indemnity for birds and other losses associated with and other losses associated with control / eradication activitiescontrol / eradication activities

Examples of OutbreaksExamples of Outbreaks

► May 2002 – Low Path AI May 2002 – Low Path AI 300,000 chickens killed in Texas300,000 chickens killed in Texas

► April 2002 – Exotic Newcastle Disease April 2002 – Exotic Newcastle Disease Backyard flock in El PasoBackyard flock in El Paso

► State and Federal quarantines in five counties in Texas State and Federal quarantines in five counties in Texas and New Mexicoand New Mexico

► October 2002 – Exotic Newcastle DiseaseOctober 2002 – Exotic Newcastle Disease 3,500,000 birds slaughtered3,500,000 birds slaughtered $160 million cost; 1,500 personnel$160 million cost; 1,500 personnel Popped up in Arizona and NevadaPopped up in Arizona and Nevada

► May be because of migratory birds (ie. fighting cocks)May be because of migratory birds (ie. fighting cocks)

Examples of OutbreaksExamples of Outbreaks

►Summer 2002 - Eight hundred flocks in Summer 2002 - Eight hundred flocks in El Paso, Texas and surrounding El Paso, Texas and surrounding

counties tested for Exotic Newcastle counties tested for Exotic Newcastle DiseaseDisease 2,000 backyard birds, that were infected 2,000 backyard birds, that were infected

or exposed, were euthanized to stop the or exposed, were euthanized to stop the spread of the diseasespread of the disease

►Winter 2004 – Hi Path Avian Influenza Winter 2004 – Hi Path Avian Influenza found near Gonzales, TXfound near Gonzales, TX DepopulationDepopulation

Exemptions for Premise IDExemptions for Premise ID► Individual pet ownersIndividual pet owners

► Non-profit backyard flocks (would be a good idea to Non-profit backyard flocks (would be a good idea to register)register)

► Pet shopsPet shops

► Exhibitors (Show regulations already in place)Exhibitors (Show regulations already in place)

► Retailers of baby poultry acquired from a certified Retailers of baby poultry acquired from a certified National Poultry Improvement Plan Hatchery (but National Poultry Improvement Plan Hatchery (but mixed species may require registration)mixed species may require registration)

► Participation in the a recognized disease Participation in the a recognized disease surveillance program (USDA NPIP, U.S. Avian surveillance program (USDA NPIP, U.S. Avian Influenza Clean program)Influenza Clean program)

Who Must RegisterWho Must Register

►Poultry producers (that sell product)Poultry producers (that sell product)►AuctionsAuctions►DealersDealers►WholesalersWholesalers►HaulersHaulers►Live bird marketsLive bird markets

Record KeepingRecord Keeping

► RecordsRecords Buyer and seller’s nameBuyer and seller’s name County of originCounty of origin Number of animalsNumber of animals DescriptionDescription

► Sex, age, color, breed, and any individual IDSex, age, color, breed, and any individual ID Animal movementAnimal movement Must keep records for two yearsMust keep records for two years

► Individual identification not required for fowlIndividual identification not required for fowl

► May see testing and sanitation requirements May see testing and sanitation requirements in future legislationin future legislation

CostCost

► Annual registration fee based on flock size Annual registration fee based on flock size of previous 12 monthsof previous 12 months $25 $25 < 100 fowl< 100 fowl $100 $100 100 - 499 fowl100 - 499 fowl $200 $200 500 - 999 fowl500 - 999 fowl $350$350 1,000 – 2,499 fowl1,000 – 2,499 fowl $500$500 2,500 or more2,500 or more

$500$500 Out of State Owners (But…)Out of State Owners (But…) $500$500 Distributor or transporter of fowlDistributor or transporter of fowl $700$700 Combination seller, distributor or Combination seller, distributor or

transporter of fowltransporter of fowl

Disease ControlDisease Control

► If symptoms observed with high mortality If symptoms observed with high mortality call local vet.call local vet.

► If symptoms are indicative of a reportable If symptoms are indicative of a reportable disease contact the TAHC immediately.disease contact the TAHC immediately.

►Courses of Action:Courses of Action: Testing, quarantine, vaccination, Testing, quarantine, vaccination,

depopulation, bird disposal, waste disposal, depopulation, bird disposal, waste disposal, sanitation, down time, recovery, further sanitation, down time, recovery, further monitoring, surveillance.monitoring, surveillance.

UpdateUpdate

► Action of Texas’ proposed premise Action of Texas’ proposed premise registration regulations postponed registration regulations postponed

(February 17, 2006)(February 17, 2006)

► Original action date July 1, 2006 Original action date July 1, 2006

► Voluntary premise ID still encouragedVoluntary premise ID still encouraged

► Premise ID required in WI and NCPremise ID required in WI and NC

► May see a national system in the near futureMay see a national system in the near future

ProblemsProblems

► Constituent concernsConstituent concerns

Concerns over costConcerns over cost

Concerns about privacyConcerns about privacy

► Regulation tweakingRegulation tweaking

► EnforcementEnforcement

► Estimated over 200,000 premises in Texas; Estimated over 200,000 premises in Texas; 7,000 currently registered7,000 currently registered

BiosecurityBiosecurity

Keep Your DistanceKeep Your Distance

►Restrict access to your propertyRestrict access to your property

Consider fencing off the rearing areaConsider fencing off the rearing area

Limit contact with other growers or Limit contact with other growers or visitorsvisitors

Prevent commingling of other species and Prevent commingling of other species and with wild or migratory birdswith wild or migratory birds

Keep It CleanKeep It Clean

► Wear clean clothesWear clean clothes

► Scrub shoes with disinfectant and wash handsScrub shoes with disinfectant and wash hands

► Use foot baths and change regularlyUse foot baths and change regularly

► Clean and disinfect equipmentClean and disinfect equipment

► Remove organic matter prior to disinfectionRemove organic matter prior to disinfection

► Properly dispose of dead birdsProperly dispose of dead birds

► Put up a gate and signs, if practicalPut up a gate and signs, if practical

Don’t Haul Disease HomeDon’t Haul Disease Home

► Disinfect cages and tires after traveling to Disinfect cages and tires after traveling to another farmanother farm

► Rotate disinfectants and use according to Rotate disinfectants and use according to label recommendationslabel recommendations

► Shower and wash hair after exposure to birds Shower and wash hair after exposure to birds at other venues prior to entering your farm.at other venues prior to entering your farm.

► Quarantine new or exhibition birds from flock Quarantine new or exhibition birds from flock for 2 - 4 weeksfor 2 - 4 weeks

Don’t Borrow Disease From Your Don’t Borrow Disease From Your NeighborNeighbor

►Don’t share:Don’t share: Lawn suppliesLawn supplies Garden toolsGarden tools Poultry suppliesPoultry supplies

► If not practical clean and disinfect prior If not practical clean and disinfect prior to use on your farmto use on your farm

Know the Warning Signs of Know the Warning Signs of Infectious Bird DiseasesInfectious Bird Diseases

► Sudden increase in mortalitySudden increase in mortality► Respiratory distressRespiratory distress► Watery / green diarrheaWatery / green diarrhea► Lack of energy or poor appetiteLack of energy or poor appetite► Drop in egg production or egg abnormalitiesDrop in egg production or egg abnormalities► Swelling around the eyes neck or headSwelling around the eyes neck or head► Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs

and legs (AI)and legs (AI)► Tremors, drooping wings, circuling, twisting Tremors, drooping wings, circuling, twisting

of the head and neck, or lack of movement of the head and neck, or lack of movement (END)(END)

Report Sick BirdsReport Sick Birds

► Early detection is very important to stop the Early detection is very important to stop the spread of disease.spread of disease.

► If symptoms present:If symptoms present: Call local vet (Do this first!!!)Call local vet (Do this first!!!) Call the Texas Animal Health CommissionCall the Texas Animal Health Commission

► 1-800-550-82421-800-550-8242 Call USDA Veterinary ServicesCall USDA Veterinary Services

► 1-866-536-7593 (toll free)1-866-536-7593 (toll free)► 1-512-916-5555 1-512-916-5555

► No charge for advice or sampling!!!!No charge for advice or sampling!!!!

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

►Texas Animal Health CommissionTexas Animal Health Commission

►United States Department of United States Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection ServiceInspection Service

►Guinea Fowl International AssociationGuinea Fowl International Association

Thank you for your time!Thank you for your time!

Contact Info:Contact Info:

Dr. Morgan FarnellDr. Morgan FarnellDepartment of Poultry ScienceDepartment of Poultry ScienceTexas A&M University Texas A&M University 107 Kleberg; 2472 TAMU107 Kleberg; 2472 TAMUCollege Station, TX 77843College Station, TX 77843

Office Phone 979-845-4319Office Phone 979-845-4319

mfarnell@poultry.tamu.edumfarnell@poultry.tamu.edu